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It was hard to miss the Periodic Audio booth at CanJam NYC this year — their whole crew was decked out in lab coats. It was a fun, tongue-in-cheek tribute to the company's name, but also underscored their measured, scientific approach to personal audio. Case in point: the dynamic drivers inside their Mg IEM in-ear headphones.

In their element

It was hard to miss the Periodic Audio booth at CanJam NYC this year — their whole crew was decked out in lab coats. It was a fun, tongue-in-cheek tribute to the company's name, but also underscored their measured, scientific approach to personal audio. Case in point: the dynamic drivers inside their Mg IEM in-ear headphones.

For this model, the company uses a magnesium diaphragm that delivers well-rounded sound at an affordable price.

Who is Periodic Audio?

Periodic Audio was founded in California by a group of longtime audio experts, who are well-versed in high-grade metals and their different acoustic characteristics. So they created a trifecta of solidly constructed, studio-quality in-ear headphones, all identical except for one key piece: they switched out the diaphragm material in each model to create three distinct-sounding headphones.

Which Periodic Audio in-ear headphones are right for you?

The answer to that question depends on how you're listening and what you're listening to. Here were my thoughts, after very brief sessions with each:

Mg IEM (magnesium diaphragms) — I was told ahead of time that this model was the utility player of the three, and worked best as an everyday, on-the-go set of headphones. Totally made sense. I connected them directly to my phone and enjoyed a pleasant, neutral sound. Their clear mids and highs stood out, even with the noise from the crowded show.

Ti IEM (titanium diaphragms) — If you listen to a lot of EDM or hip-hop, take a look here. These headphones had a lot of swagger and energy, particularly on the low end. Titanium tends to produce powerful, punchy bass. I'll admit — these were my least favorite of the three with the acoustic tracks that I sampled. But I bet they would thump nicely with some old-school Gang Starr, or even some classic soul — anything where it's just as important to feel the beat as it is to hear it.

Be IEM (beryllium diaphragms) — This flagship model sounded the most articulate, and I wish I had been in a quieter area where I could really soak in and appreciate the subtleties. To get the best out of these, I had to switch over to a high-res portable player. Beryllium is much lighter and stiffer than the other two metals, so it can move more smoothly and efficiently. Smooth is a good description of the sound, too — the vocals were some of the silkiest I've heard in a pair of in-ears.

Built for success

When I spoke to Ben Webster, one of the company's founders, I was surprised at the level of care in just selecting the build materials. Ben told me how much they labored over every choice — "is this the lightest? The sturdiest? The best?" Every single tiny piece was considered significant, and went through a large amount of scrutiny.

This exploded view shows the magnesium diaphragm and other carefully selected driver materials.

And I could feel that care as I held the textured earbud housings between my fingers. They chose polycarbonate resin over a host of other materials, due to its rigidity. The powerful magnets and top-notch driver elements inside move quickly with minimal resonance.

A proper fit for sound

Here's something I've learned from listening to many, many in-ear headphones: their sound is only as good as their fit. Periodic Audio includes 9 pairs of ear tips to ensure a secure, comfortable seal.

There are six medical-grade silicon tips that help properly direct the drivers. (A few of the company's engineers have experience creating hearing instruments.) And I personally preferred the included foam ear tips. They expanded and conformed to my ears, blocking out the noise, so I could better enjoy my tunes.

Product Highlights:

in-ear headphones designed for on-the-go music listening and professional monitoring

Product Research

Features

Overview: Periodic Audio in-ear monitors are constructed of 21 precision
manufactured parts per side. All of the components are designed, engineered, and
assembled in the USA. All three models (Magnesium, Titanium, and Beryllium) use
10mm metal diaphragms, with each type of metal delivering a different sound
signature. The bodies are made of resonant-free polycarbonate bodies for
durability. The IEMs come with nine pairs of ear tips, an airline adapter, a
3.5mm-to-1/4" adapter, and a metal storage case.

Magnesium (Mg): The Periodic Audio Mg in-ear monitors feature a magnesium
diaphragm made of 96% magnesium, 3.5% aluminum, with zinc and other trace
materials making up the balance. The Mg diaphragms have a relatively neutral
sonic signature with a brighter high end (compared to the Be model). This model
works well in noisy environments.

Cable: The Magnesium IEMs feature a 50" (1.5m) long flexible
cable made of 99.999% pure copper. The thin cable is tangle-resistant, and has
molded rubber strain reliefs at the ear tips and connector. The straight 3.5mm
plug is constructed of nickel-plated brass. The package includes an airline
adapter (female 3.5mm-to-dual male 3.5mm plugs) for in-flight entertainment, and
a 3.5mm-to-1/4" adapter for use with professional audio or home components with
a full-size 1/4" output.

Ear Tips: The Mg in-ear monitors come with a wide variety of
ear tip styles and sizes. There are ear tips made of silicone (two shapes, three
sizes) and memory foam (three sizes):

Silicone: The silicone ear tips are made with Dow
Corning medical grade silicone rubber, which provides a 30-60% higher
resistance to break down than normal silicone rubber. There are two shapes
of silicone ear buds included. Single flange ear tips provide the widest
range of fit and comfort. Dual flange ear tips provide a stronger acoustic
seal in the ear canal, but may not be as comfortable.

Memory Foam: The memory foam ear tips are more
cylindrical than the silicone tips. These ear tips compress between the
fingers for easy insertion into the ear canal. Once in place, the memory
foam expands to its original shape and size, creating a good seal and a
secure fit that won't fall out of the user's ear.

Specifications:

Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 30 kHz

Impedance: 32Ω

Sensitivity: 101 dB SPL at 1 mW in ear

Power Handling: 200 mW continuous

Peak SPL: 121 dB

THD: Less than 1.5% THD at 1 mW

Ear Bud Dimensions: Diameter 0.475" Depth 0.868"

Weight: 0.6 ounces

Our Product Research Team

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